Fixing PS4 controller won’t connect to PS4 with USB

The DualShock 4 is a fantastic controller that can be used wired or wirelessly and is compatible with many devices other than your PlayStation 4. But some issues may occur with the PS4 controller that hinders it from functioning as it should. One of these common problems is that the PS4 controller won’t connect to the PS4 console via USB.

There could be a firmware issue, interference, a damaged battery, or a variety of other problems if your PS4 controller won’t connect to your PS4 with USB.

We’ll start you off with the simplest remedy and work our way up to the more complex one to help you resolve this issue.

When a PS4 controller won’t connect to PS4 With USB, what happens?

The most frequent cause of PS4 controller USB connection problems is sync issues. The controller might have been synchronized with a different console or device, or it might have gone out of sync on its own. In extreme instances, the controller’s firmware fault may even make it impossible for it to sync up properly.

You could also have a USB cable or battery issue in addition to sync problems. The sync process requires a USB cable that can transport both data and power. Worn-out cables and broken USB ports might also make it difficult for your controller to connect.

How to Fix a PS4 controller that Won’t Connect To PS4 With USB

Follow the instructions below in order to identify the cause of your controller’s malfunction and reconnect it to your PS4 via USB so you may resume playing.

Ensure the battery is functional

Try charging the controller if it won’t turn on. Suspect the battery if it still won’t turn on even when connected to the PS4. You must disassemble the PS4 controller in order to change the battery.

Inspect the USB connection for looseness

Gently poke the connector while your controller is connected to a USB cable. If it feels flimsy or is simple to remove, there might be an issue with the socket or cable connector. The former can easily be fixed by using a different cable, however, fixing the USB port on a PS4 controller necessitates disassembling the device.

Note: Look for debris in the socket if your connection is loose. With the help of a small toothpick or other similar item and bottled air, you might be able to carefully remove the debris.

Check the USB cable

You must confirm that your USB cord is functional before continuing. Your controller is most likely functioning if it illuminates when plugged in. But it might only be supplying power—not a data connection.

Try your USB cord with a separate device to make sure it is in fact functional. If you have another PS4 controller, try it out to see if it works, or see if you can use it to send data from a device like your phone to a computer. The cable is probably not the problem if it can transport data and provide power simultaneously.

Change your USB cable

Try connecting your controller to the PS4 using a different USB cable if you are unable to test your USB cord or the findings were ambiguous. If at all feasible, pick a high-quality micro USB cable that you are certain is capable of both data transfer and power delivery.

You can try to sync your controller if the cable is functional.

Your PS4 controller should sync

It won’t connect with USB if your PS4 controller is no longer synchronized with your system. It might have previously been synced to a separate console by you or someone else, or it might have become desynced in some other way.

Try both the wireless and cable methods of syncing if the controller doesn’t sync right away.

Remove your controller’s connection to other electronics

Have you used your PS4 controller with anything outside your PS4 console, like a PC or Mac, your phone, or any other device? It might be impossible for it to connect to your PS4 if it’s still connected to the original device, especially if that device is close and is still attempting to connect.

Make sure to take your PS4 controller off of the other device’s list of Bluetooth connections, disable Bluetooth on the other device, or turn off the other device entirely if you have used it with anything other than your PS4.

Eliminate Bluetooth interference sources

There may be too much interference between your PS4 and your controller if your controller turns on but you are unable to sync it using either the wired or wireless method or if the connection breaks off suddenly.

Remove any adjacent Bluetooth-enabled or other interference-causing devices from the 2.402 to 2.4835 GHz band that your controllers use. Additionally, you might want to try bringing your controller up against the console. If that makes it functional, then interference is definitely the issue.

Reset the controller on your PS4

Many PS4 controller difficulties, including connectivity issues, can be resolved using this process. If at all possible, you should begin with a soft reset, which necessitates having access to a second PS4 controller that is in good working condition. Try a hard reset if it doesn’t work or if you don’t have a second controller.

To learn more on PS4 controller reset and how to do it the right way, please visit this article.

Try pairing your controller with your console after resetting it to check if it has already begun to function.

Conclusion

The most common reason for a PS4 controller that won’t connect to PS4 with USB is that there’s a problem in the USB connection itself. The USB cord might be damaged, the USB port that you’re connecting your controller to is nonfunctional, the controller’s battery is weak and doesn’t hold enough charge to run the controller, or there’s a firmware issue with the PS4 system itself.

There might be other reasons for this problem. But whatever the reason is, you must do your tests and find out what the actual cause is. Once done, figuring out how to resolve this issue will be much easier.